I picked up a bit of an injury playing rugby, and my mobility isn’t what it usually is. That’s part of the practice. Our bodies change, our circumstances change, but we can still show up for ourselves. For a little while, we’ll be doing more seated, chair-based movement. Gentle, supportive work that meets the body where it is. Keep moving in whatever way you can. That’s what matters.

I grew up drinking tea; I was never much of a soda-pop kid. Tea was simply part of the rhythm of daily life. These days, as a gardener, that relationship has deepened. I grow many of my own herbs for both tea and seasoning, tending them with the same care I bring to the cup itself. Recently, a new friend introduced me to an ancient brew— one my body seems to recognize and genuinely enjoy. Shepherd’s Tea— also known as Greek Mountain Tea— shares some common ground with traditional green tea, yet each offers its own distinctive gifts. Mountain tea is prized for supporting immunity, digestion, mood, and the nervous system, while green tea shines in its antioxidant power, boosting brain function, metabolism, and heart health. Both are rich in beneficial plant compounds, including flavonoids and polyphenols, long celebrated for their restorative effects. Researchers are now taking a closer look at mountain tea’s potential role in protecting the mind. Emerging studies suggest that extracts from the sideritis plant may help prevent or slow cognitive decline. According to research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, regular consumption of mountain tea shows promise in supporting mental clarity and existing cognitive conditions—a hopeful development rooted in an ancient tradition. Mountain tea comes from the Sideritis plant, while green tea is derived from Camellia sinensis. In Greece, it’s affectionately called “tea of the mountain.” Brewed from the dried flowers, leaves, and stems of the plant, sideritis grows wild in the rocky, sun-washed mountain regions of Greece, as well as parts of Albania, Bulgaria, and Macedonia. Greece remains its largest consumer. Today, mountain tea is easy to find online, often sold in dried bunches that include the full plant— stems, leaves, and flowers intact. The name sideritis comes from the Greek word sideros, meaning iron. In ancient times, the herb was used to heal wounds inflicted by iron weapons in battle. A flowering perennial, mountain tea offers a gentle, floral, earthy flavor—mildly sweet and soothing. Many describe its taste as a delicate blend of mint, chamomile, and a hint of citrus.

There’s a lot outside of us that we can’t control, and some days things feel heavy. Today is a reminder to bring our attention back to what we can control. Our attitude. Our movement. Our daily consistency. Keep moving, keep showing up, and let that help you feel better right now.

Today is a light, full-body movement session. January 2 might not feel as exciting as January 1, but it’s just as important. Every day holds possibility when we choose to show up. Today also matters a little more because it’s @Colleen Hopper birthday 🎉. A good reminder to treat every day as something worth celebrating. Move gently, keep showing up, and let each day feel like a great day to move!

There was a time in my life when I didn’t like them much. I didn’t want the attention. I didn’t want the reminder of another year. Now I see it differently. A birthday means we’re still here. Another year lived. More experiences. It's something to be grateful for. Today this feels especially important to me because it’s my mom’s birthday. Someone who has given me everything. Someone who showed me how to love and be loved. Someone who has always been there for me. Today, I celebrate her. I also think about how my wife shows up for our boys every year. Not with piles of gifts. But with intention. Balloons and banners when they wake up. Their favorite breakfast. Their favorite dinner. A quiet message that says this day matters and so do you. We understand how important that is when we’re seven. I think it’s just as important when we’re seventy. To pause. To acknowledge another year. To be seen. That’s something I’d love for us to do more of in this community. Please tell me when your birthday is coming, ideally a week or so ahead, so we can acknowledge it when the day comes. It matters. Our birthday is one day each year that marks a life lived. Another year experienced. That deserves to be celebrated.